Pliant sheet article

ABSTRACT

A generally rectangular pliant sheet article has a polereceiving channel adjacent each of two of its opposed edges, lace-receiving means adjacent each of the channels, and set of relatively small holes adjacent each of the other two opposed edges of the sheet. The article may be used with laces as a stolelike garment or it may be used in combination with pole elements as a flag, a handbag or a canopy assembly.

United States Patent 72 In ent nd shda G- Vechesloff 1,916,068 6/1933Nyhagen 2/69 x 50 S uth Q i Lille, Wes! t 2,024,044 12/1935 Johnson 2/88Conn.061l9 2,135,419 11/1938 Wesseler 135/5 [21 Appl. No. 844,9792,420,344 5/1947 Alexander 2/69 [22] Filed July 25,1969 2,533,21612/1950 Bixler 160/387 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 2,554,688 5/1951Vollweiler.... 135/5 2,633,910 4/1953 Meyer 160/330 2,750,596 6/1956Amado 160/387 2,783,473 3/1957 Humpeler 2/69 1 1 PUANT SHEET ARTFCLE3,075,536 1/1963 Parker 135/5 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs. [52] US Cl 135/5R Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney Peter L. Costas [51] Int. Cl.J E041 10/02,

- A45f 5/00 ABSTRACT: A generally rectangular pliant sheet article has aof Search 5 B, poleq-eeeiving channel adjacent each of two of itsopposed 5 C, 1; 160/330, 3 1- 3 1. 39 edges, lace-receiving meansadjacent each of the channels, and set of relatively small holesadjacent each of the other two [561 Rekrences cued opposed edges of thesheet. The article may be used with laces UNITED STATES PATENTS as astolelike garment or it may be used in combination with 1,736,594 1 1 I1929 Hart 2/88 pole elements as a flag, a handbag or a canopy assembly.

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PATENTEU JUL 6 IEWI SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG/1 PLIANT SHEET ARTICLE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION Although many types of multiple purpose fabric articlessuch as that described herein have been proposed previously, it isbelieved that the acceptance of most of them has been quite limitedbecause they are usually deficient in one aspect or another. In somecases, such articles appear overly complex to be well suited forconvenient use; in many cases, the production expenses necessary are toohigh to make the product economically attractive; and frequently, theseveral uses thereof are not adequately related to one another or toconsumer demand to render the article sufficiently appealing from acommercial standpoint.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelpliant sheet article which is adapted for a number of uses, which isattractive and of very simple construction, and which is convenient touse and economical to manufacture.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such an article havinga number of practical uses which are sufficiently related and responsiveto consumer demand to render the article attractive from a commercialstandpoint.

Still another and more specific object is to provide such an articlewhich is adapted for use as a garment, a flag, a handbag and a canopyassembly, and which is particularly suited for beach and sunbathinguses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the foregoing andrelated objects can be readily attained in a pliant sheet articlecomprising a generally rectangular pliant sheet with a first pair ofopposed edges and a second pair of opposed edges. The sheet has apole-receiving channel adjacent each of the first pair ofedges,dimensioned and configured to seat a pole inserted axially thereinto. Italso has lace-receiving means therein adjacent each of thepole-receiving channels, and the lace-receiving means locates a lace endportion at two points adjacent each of the channels, each of the twopoints also being adjacent one of the second pair of opposed edges ofthe sheet. In addition, the sheet also has a set of relatively smallholes therein extending along and adjacent each of the second pair ofedges thereof, and at least one of the holes in each set is spaced ineach direction from the center of the sheet toward the first pair-ofedges, the sets of holes being adapted to receive a lace threadedtherethrough.

Preferably, the edge portion of the sheet at each of the first pair ofedges is folded back upon itself and secured to itself in the foldedposition to provide the pole-receiving channel. Each of the folded overedge portions may be secured in the folded'position by a pair of spacedrows of fastening means extending generally parallel to the first pairof edges, and the pair of rows thus define a pair of channels in thedouble thickness of the sheet adjacent each of the first pair of edges.In such a construction, one channel of each pair is dimensioned andconfigured to seat a pole inserted axially thereinto to provide thepole-receiving channel, and the other channel of the pair provides thelace-receiving means. Most desirably, the edge portions are foldedagainst the same surface of the sheet and the part of each edge portiondefining the inner channel of each pair of channels has a pair ofapertures therethrough. One aperture of each pair is spaced from thecenter of the sheet toward each of the second edges to provide thelace-receiving means in cooperation with the inner channel.

In one embodiment, a pole is inserted and secured in one of thepole-receiving channels of the sheet with a portion thereof protrudingtherefrom to provide a flag assembly supportable by the pole. In anotherembodiment, laces are included in the lace-receiving means with a firstlace end portion adjacent each of the pole-receiving channels beingsecured to a second lace end portion adjacent the same channel and theopposite one of the second pair of edges to define an opening at each ofthe first pair of edges of the sheet through which a wearer's hand maybe inserted, thereby providing a stolelike garment. Preferably, in thelatter embodiment an additional lace is threaded through two of therelatively small holes in one set thereof adjacent one of the secondpair of edges with the ends of the lace secured together to secure thegarment about the wearer's neck.

In a further embodiment the article includes a pair of poles and a pairof laces. One of the poles is inserted into each of the pole-receivingchannels and the poles so inserted are positioned adjacent and parallelto one another to fold the sheet into two plies of substantially equalarea. One of the laces is threaded through at least one of therelatively small holes in each of the plies adjacent each of the secondpair of edges to partially close the openings formed thereat to providea handbag. That is, two laces are employed to close the openings; onelace is used for each set of holes and is threaded through at least twoholes thereof, and one of those holes must be in each ply of the sheet.

In still another embodiment the edge portions of the sheet are foldedagainst the same surface thereof, and each of the folded edge portionshas a relatively large hole adjacent each of the second pair of edges toprovide a blind aperture near each corner of the sheet on one surfacethereof. The relatively large holes are dimensioned to receive supportpoles inserted axially thereinto and normal to the sheet, and, when thesheet is combined with poles in such a manner, a canopy assembly isprovided thereby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of a pliantsheet article embodying the present invention and having a pair of lacesthreaded therein;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view to a reduced scale of a telescoping-poleassembly usable with the pliant sheet article of FIG. I; v

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to a reduced scale of the pliant sheet ofFIG. I with one of the laces removed and showing the telescoping-poleassembly of FIG. 2 inserted into one of the pole-receiving channelsthereof for use as a flag on a sandy beach;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the pliant sheet article ofFIG. I used as a stolelike garment worn by a user;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view to a reduced scale ofa canopy assembly inwhich the pliant sheet is supported on a sandy beach by four sectionsfrom two-pole assemblies of the type illustrated in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pliant sheet of FIG. 1 with twosections of the pole assembly of FIG. 2 inserted into the pole-receivingchannels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Turning now indetail to FIG. 1 of the appended drawings, an article embodying thepresent invention is made from a rectangular sheet 10 of a decoratedpliant material. The end portions 12 at the narrow edges of the sheet 10are folded back on themselves against the same surface of the sheet andare secured in the folded over portion by an outer row of stitches 14adjacent each end to form a pair of outer polereceiving channels 16. Anadditional row of stitches 18 in each end position spaced inwardly ofthe sheet from the outer row l4-defines an inner'channel 20 therebetweenwhich is parallel to the outer channel 16.

Apertures 22 are provided near both of the wide edges 13 through thepart of each end portion 12 extending between the rows of stitches 14,18 therein, and a lace 24 is threaded through each pair of apertures 22to dispose it within the associated inner channel 20, so that theapertures 22 and channels 20 provide lace-receiving means at the twoopposed edges I3 of the sheet 10. Reinforced holes 26, 26' are providedthrough one ply of each end portion 12 near the corners of the sheet 10to provide blind apertures which are closed by the other ply of sheetmaterial, the holes 26 being slightly larger than the holes 26 for apurpose to be more fully described hereinafter. The sheet 10 also has aset of six relatively small holes 28 extending along and adjacent thewide edges 13 thereof; in each set, the holes 28 are approximatelyequidistantly spaced and three of them are spaced from the center of thesheet 10 toward each narrow end portion 12 thereof.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a telescoping-pole assembly is shown consistingof a large diameter section 30 and a smaller diameter section 32telescopably seated therein. A multiplicity of holes 34 is spaced alongthe length of the larger section 30, and the smaller section 32 has aspring-loaded detent button 36 adjacent one of its ends. It will beappreciated that the length of the pole assembly can be varied bytelescoping the sections relative to one another, and locking them inposition with the detent button 36 releasably engaged in one of theholes 34, and that the sections can be separated entirely if desired.

With reference now to FIG. 3, the rectangular sheet 10 of FIG. 1 iscombined with the pole assembly of FIG. 2 by inserting the largersection 30 into one of the outer pole-receiving channels 16 of the sheetIll to provide a flag assembly. The end portions of the lace 24 disposedin the inner channel 20 are wound about the pole member 30 to secure thesheet 10 in assembly therewith, and the end of the smaller pole section32 is buried in the sand 38 to provide support for the flag assembly. InFIG. 4, the article of the present invention is depicted in use as astolelike garment worn by a female user 40. In this application, theends of each of the laces 24 are tied together to provide openings 42 atthe narrow edge portions 12 of the sheet 10 through which the arms ofthe user 40 are inserted and the garment is draped over her shoulders.In addition, a third lace 44 is threaded through two of the relativelysmall holes 28 adjacent one of the wide edges 13 of the sheet 10, andthe ends thereof are tied together about the neck of the user 40.

Turning now to FIG. of the drawings,- the pole sections 30, 32 of thetwo-pole assemblies of the type shown in FIG. 2 are individuallyinserted axially and normal to the sheet into the relatively large holesor blind apertures 26, 26 to provide support at the comers thereof. Thepole sections 30 having the larger diameter are inserted into the largerholes 26 and the smaller diameter pole sections 32 are inserted into thesmaller holes 26. With the other ends of the pole sections 30, 32 buriedin the sand 38 and serving as legs, a canopy-type assembly is provided,and the part of the sheet overlying the holes 26, 26 prevents the polesections 30, 32 from slipping entirely therethrough.

Turning finally to FIG. 6, a handbag is illustrated which is formed fromthe rectangular sheet 10 with two-pole sections 30 inserted in thepole-receiving channels thereof. The pole sections 30, and hence the endportions 12 of the sheet 10, are positioned adjacent one another to foldthe body of the sheet 10 into a two-ply structure which may holdarticles 46 between the plies. The openings 48 formed at the wide edges13 of the sheet 10 are partially closed by threading additional laces 44through the relatively small holes 28 thereadjacent, thus providing amore secure receptacle for the articles 46.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the basic element of the article ofthe invention is a pliant sheet, by which is meant a sheet which isreadily foldable and drapable and which preferably has a good hand orfeel. The particular material used for the sheet is relativelyunimportant, and it may be a woven fabric, a plastic sheet or any othersuitable material; in some cases it will be most desirable to utilizeabsorbent fabric such as terry cloth which is widely used for beachapparel and the like. The sheet should have a pattern or design on it,both to provide a distinctive flag to mark a location such as on acrowded beach, and also to make the articlemore attractive for its otheruses; however, the sheet may be of a solid color if desired. Theconfiguration of the sheet is generally rectangular, and it should beunderstood that the phrase generally rectangular" is intended toencompass sheets which are square or rectangular as well as those havingedges that deviate from linear. For example, the edges may be arcuatc orscalloped, or they may be especially modified for a particular purpose,it being required only that a first pair of opposed edges and a secondpair of opposed edges be definable on the sheet.

Although the pole-receiving channels and lace-receiving channels (whenemployed) adjacent the first pair of opposed edges of the sheet may beformed by securing a separate piece of material against a large piece ofsheet material, it is generally most convenient and economical to foldthe end portions of the sheet back against themselves to form two pliesat the edges which provide the channels. Most desirably, such endportions are folded back against the same surface of the sheet. Themeans by which the two plies may be secured together includes rivets,pins, snap fasteners etc. However, the nature of the sheet material willgenerally make sewing the most feasible method of securing the pliestogether, and double rows of stitches may be used for greater security.The polereceiving channels should be properly dimensioned and configuredso that the poles fit rather tightly therein to avoid inadvertentdisassembly; lace-receiving channels, on the other hand, need only beadapted in a general sense to receive a portion of a suitable lace.Pole-receiving and lace-receiving channels may be parallel andcontiguous at each end portion of the sheet; their relative positionsmay be as shown in the drawings or reversed therefrom, but theillustrated relationship is preferred.

To allow the laces to be disposed in the channels with the ends thereofpositioned at points spaced inwardly from the edges of the sheet,suitable apertures or slits may be provided in one ply of the materialdefining the channels; however, since the lace ends may suitably projectout of the opposite ends of the channel at the opposed edges of thesheet, such apertures are not necessary. Preferably the ends of thelaces will be disposed near the corners of the sheet, but anyarrangement may be used in which the opposite lace end portions locatedadjacent each pole-receiving channel are spaced in both directions fromthe center of the sheet.

Although lace-receiving channels are preferred since they are simple toprovide and avoid exposing the length of the laces on the outsidesurface of the sheet (which might be considered unsightly), otherlace-receiving means may also be used. For example, the means may simplybe a pair of apertures or slits through the sheet, through which theends of a lace may be inserted. Alternatively, tabs or the like havingsuitable holes in them may be furnished on one surface of the sheet toreceive the laces and avoid exposure of the length of the laces on theoutside surface of the sheet; however, such a construction is somewhatcomplicated and expensive.

The sets of holes which are provided along the other two or second pairof opposed edges of the sheet (i.e., those to which the pole-receivingchannels are perpendicular) should extend from the center of the sheettoward both of the first pair of edges. Normally, those sets of holesare quite close to the wide edges of the sheet; preferably the holeswill be even in number, and most desirably equidistantly spaced. In oneembodiment, one set of holes is used to receive a lace used as a tie tosecure the article as a stole about the neck of the wearer; since,however, the holes are used in another embodiment to receive laces topartially close openings which may be formed at the edges of the sheetwhen used as a handbag, it is advantageous to have a sufficient numberof them so that the laces can provide an adequate closure, and at leastsix holes are desirable in each set.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a relatively large hole isprovided in the material adjacent each comer of the sheet, although atripurpose article could be produced in accordance with the presentinvention without them. Such holes may be provided through the mainportion of the sheet,

but most desirably they are through one ply of the folded end portionsso that the other ply lies against the holes to provide a means ofpreventing the support poles from passing through them. The dimensionsof these holes will depend upon the dimensions of the poles to beemployed therewith; most desirably they are of different sizes so thatthe members of a telescoping pole assembly may be secured therein inclosefitting engagement. it will be appreciated that all holes orapertures referred to herein may be reinforced by suitable means,although such reinforcement is most important with regard to theaforementioned pole-receiving holes at the corners since they aresubjected to significant amounts of stress in supporting the sheet as acanopy.

The laces which are employed in combination with the sheet may be ofvirtually any suitable construction. In fact, the term lace" is employedherein to encompass not only conventional laces of the type used forshoes and the like, but also cords, ropes, belts and similar elongatedmembers which may be appropriately used in the indicated applications.Rather than use one lace to provide both of the lace ends adjacent eachpole-receiving channel, a pair of laces can be used thereat andindividually secured in the lace-receiving means, such as by knottingone end thereof when the lace-receiving means is provided by anaperture. It should also be appreciated that when reference is madeherein to tying or securing the ends of the laces, any means offastening the ends together is intended to be encompassed and auxiliaryfastening members such as buckles, clips, and the like, may be employed.

Many types of poles and pole sections may be used in combination withthe pliant sheet, and pole sections may be telescoped and locked inassembly such as by the detent and corresponding apertures illustratedin the drawing. Separable pole sections are advantageous since theyprovide at least two of the support poles or legs necessary when thearticle is employed as a canopy assembly and, although not illustrated,one pole assembly can include four telescoped sections to provide all ofthe legs necessary for the canopy. The pole assemblies may be made ofany suitable material, but aluminum is particularly beneficially usedbecause of its light weight, desirable appearance and resistance tocorrosion.

When the sheet is assembled with the pole assembly to provide a flag asin FIG. 3, the pole assembly may be secured in the channel by wrappingthe ends of the adjacent lace about it. Alternatively, one end of thechannel can be fastened closed to stop the pole from passing entirelythrough it, or the pole can be inserted through the two relatively largeholes at the comers of the sheet adjacent one edge; however, this may besomewhat less desirable because it tends to distort the sheet.

As assembled with the sheet to provide a handbag-type article, polemembers are inserted into the channels to provide convenient handles. Itshould be appreciated that although only the larger of the two sectionsof two assemblies of the type illustrated in FIG. 2 are employed ashandles in FIG. 6, the complete unit with the smaller member housedwithin the larger member could be substituted.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides an articlewhich is adapted for a number of uses, which is attractive and of verysimple construction and which is convenient to use and economical tomanufacture. The article has a number of practical uses which may besufficiently related and responsive to consumer demand to render thearticle attractive from a commercial standpoint. More specifically, thearticle is adapted for use as a garment, a flag, a handbag and a canopyassembly, and is particularly suited for beach and sunbathing uses.

Having thus described the invention, lclaim:

l. A pliant sheet article comprising a plurality of laces and agenerally rectangular pliant sheet with a first pair of opposed edgesand a second pair of opposed edges, said sheet having:

A. a pole-receiving channel adjacent each of said first pair of edgesdimensioned to seat a pole inserted axially thereinto; I B. meanstherein ad acent each of said pole-receiving channels for receiving atleast one of said laces and for locating lace end portions at two pointsadjacent each of said channels, each of said two points adjacent each ofsaid channels also being adjacent one of said second pair of edges;

C. a set of relatively small holes therein extending along and adjacenteach of said second pair of edges, at least one of said holes in each ofsaid sets being spaced in each direction from the center of said sheettoward said first pair of edges, said set of relatively small holesbeing adapted to receive a lace threaded therethrough; and

D. relatively large holes providing an aperture adjacent each corner ofsaid sheet dimensioned to receive support poles inserted thereinto.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the edge portions of said sheet atsaid first pair of edges are folded back onto themselves and secured insuch folded position to provide said pole-receiving channels.

3. The article of claim 2 wherein each of said edge portions is securedin said folded position by a pair of spaced rows of fastening meansextending generally parallel to said first pair of edges, said fasteningmeans defining a pair of channels in the double thickness of said sheetadjacent each of said first pair of edges, one of each of said pair ofchannels being dimensioned to seat supporting poles inserted axiallythereinto to provide said pole-receiving channels and the other of saidpair of channels being of lesser width and providing said lacereceivingmeans.

4. The article of claim 3 wherein both of said edge portions are foldedagainst the same surface of said sheet, and wherein the part of each ofsaid edge portions defining the inner channel of each of said pairs ofchannels has a pair of apertures therethrough, one aperture of each pairbeing spaced from the center of said sheet toward each of said secondpair of edges to provide said lace-receiving means in cooperation withsaid inner channel.

5. The article of claim 1 additionally including a pole inserted andsecured in one of said pole-receiving channels with a portion thereofprotruding therefrom to provide a flag assembly supportable by saidpole, said lace end portions adjacent said one pole-receiving channelbeing secured about said pole to enhance engagement of said sheetthereon.

6. The article of claim 1 wherein a first lace end portion adjacent eachof said pole-receiving channels is secured to a second lace end portionadjacent the same channel and the opposite one of said pair of secondedges to define an opening at each edge through which the wearer's handmay be inserted, to provide a stolelike garment.

7. The article of claim 6 wherein an additional lace is threaded throughtwo of said relatively small holes in one of said sets thereof adjacentone of said second pair of edges, with the ends thereof secured togetherto provide a means for securing said stolelike garment about thewearer's neck.

8. The article of claim I additionally including a pole in each of saidpole-receiving channels, said poles being positioned adjacent andparallel to one another to fold said sheet into two plies ofsubstantially equal area said article having one of said laces threadedthrough at least one of said relatively small holes in each of saidplies adjacent each of said second pair of edges to partially close theopenings formed thereat to provide a handbag.

9. The article of claim 2 wherein said edge portions are folded againstthe same surface of said sheet and each of said edge portions has arelatively large hole providing said corner apertures, said articleadditionally including a support pole inserted in each of said aperturesnormal to said sheet to provide comer supports therefor and to form acanopy assembly, said lace end portion resultingly located adjacent eachof said poles being securablc thereabout to enhance engagement of saidsheet thereon.

1. A pliant sheet article comprising a plurality of laces and agenerally rectangular pliant sheet with a first pair of opposed edgesand a second pair of opposed edges, said sheet having: A. apole-receiving channel adjacent each of said first pair of edgesdimensioned to seat a pole inserted axially thereinto; B. means thereinadjacent each of said pole-receiving channels for receiving at least oneof said laces and for locating lace end portions at two points adjacenteach of said channels, each of said two points adjacent each of saidchannels also being adjacent one of said second pair of edges; C. a setof relatively small holes therein extending along and adjacent each ofsaid second pair of edges, at least one of said holes in each of saidsets being spaced in each direction from the center of said sheet towardsaid first pair of edges, said set of relatively small holes beingadapted to receive a lace threaded therethrough; and D. relatively largeholes providing an aperture adjacent each corner of said sheetdimensioned to receive support poles inserted thereinto.
 2. The articleof claim 1 wherein the edge portions of said sheet at said first pair ofedges are folded back onto themselves and secured in such foldedposition to provide said pole-receiving channels.
 3. The article ofclaim 2 wherein each of said edge portions is secured in said foldedposition by a pair of spaced rows of fastening means extending generallyparallel to said first pair of edges, said fastening means defining apair of channels in the double thickness of said sheet adjacent each ofsaid first pair of edges, one of each of said pair of channels beingdimensioned to seat supporting poles inserted axially thereinto toprovide said pole-receiving channels and the other of said pair ofchannels being of lesser width and providing said lace-receiving means.4. The article of claim 3 wherein both of said edge portions are foldedagainst the same surface of said sheet, and wherein the part of each ofsaid edge portions defining the inner channel of each of said pairs ofchannels has a pair of apertures therethrough, one aperture of each pairbeing spaced from the center of said sheet toward each of said secondpair of edges to provide said lace-receiving means in cooperation withsaid inner channel.
 5. The article of claim 1 additionally including apole inserted and secured in one of said pole-receiving channels with aportion thereof protruding therefrom to provide a flag assemblysupportable by Said pole, said lace end portions adjacent said onepole-receiving channel being secured about said pole to enhanceengagement of said sheet thereon.
 6. The article of claim 1 wherein afirst lace end portion adjacent each of said pole-receiving channels issecured to a second lace end portion adjacent the same channel and theopposite one of said pair of second edges to define an opening at eachedge through which the wearer''s hand may be inserted, to provide astolelike garment.
 7. The article of claim 6 wherein an additional laceis threaded through two of said relatively small holes in one of saidsets thereof adjacent one of said second pair of edges, with the endsthereof secured together to provide a means for securing said stolelikegarment about the wearer''s neck.
 8. The article of claim 1 additionallyincluding a pole in each of said pole-receiving channels, said polesbeing positioned adjacent and parallel to one another to fold said sheetinto two plies of substantially equal area said article having one ofsaid laces threaded through at least one of said relatively small holesin each of said plies adjacent each of said second pair of edges topartially close the openings formed thereat to provide a handbag.
 9. Thearticle of claim 2 wherein said edge portions are folded against thesame surface of said sheet and each of said edge portions has arelatively large hole providing said corner apertures, said articleadditionally including a support pole inserted in each of said aperturesnormal to said sheet to provide corner supports therefor and to form acanopy assembly, said lace end portion resultingly located adjacent eachof said poles being securable thereabout to enhance engagement of saidsheet thereon.